Pages

Monday, March 27, 2017

Wilson’s Words of Wisdom: March Round Up

This month, I did a lot of dining. Like, a lot. Probably way too much, if the way that all the clothes in my closet now fit may indicate. But, there’s a silver lining to every cloud. And while I may have gained 100 pounds, it wasn’t in vain; I found five amazing restaurants — from creative Mexican cuisine to outdoor brunch spots and women-owned Ethiopian eateries — to share with you, that I’m sure you’re going to love as much as I do.

Check them all out below, and leave your recently found favorite destinations in the comments section below!

Right in the heart of Hollywood, Viva Hollywood debuted this month, in all its glitz and glamour. The newly opened upscale restaurant has taken over what used to be Eva Longoria’s longstanding Beso restaurant, remaking the two-story space into a light and airy oasis, with a lounge-like feel. Viva features luxurious Mexican food and classy cocktails. Definitely try the Arugula Caesar Enselada — the Mexican version of a Caesar salad, with cilantro croutons, red peppers and a spicy yet creamy cheese Caesar dressing — and tacos from the taqueria, made with some of the softest, tastiest tortillas out there (pictured above). Viva’s other highlights: a piñata room (you really gotta see it to believe it) and a jammin’ live salsa band, each and every night.

Remaining in the Studio City area and literally a mere few feet from Cocina Condesa, sits Firefly, a restaurant / lounge that somehow manages to be simultaneously chic and chill. IMO, one of the biggest selling points of Firefly, is its semi-enclosed outdoor patio, pictured above. It’s absolutely gorgeous, complete with a fireplace and secluded, tucked away seating areas. While weekend brunching at Firefly has been a thing for a few years, head chef Perry Pollaci only recently came onboard last Fall, but he's been shaking up the menu ever since. Now on the brunch menu: items like the lobster and farmer’s market veggie scrambles, the Thick Cut Brioche French Toast and an assortment of indulgent pastries, including flaky croissants topped with almond butter and chopped almonds.

After debuting the updated version of my Top Black-Owned Restaurants, Bars, Lounges & Eateries list last month, it was promptly brought to my attention that I forgot to include one place in particular: Leona in Venice Beach. And shame on me, because how could I forget to add this wondrously adorable place? Low lighting, high ceilings, white exposed brick walls and a smooth soundtrack of old-school R&B, neo-soul and chill rap, makes this one-room restaurant feel quite quaint and intimate. There’s a seasonal rotation of eclectic dishes, and, the detail is in everything — right down to the presentation of the food on your plate. No hard liquor (yet) but there’s still a respectable selection of wines and beers.

And finally, in honor of Women’s History Month in March, I'm adding Azla vegan to this March Round Up list. Spanning two generations, a mother-daughter duo is making history by running this casual eatery housed in the Mercado La Paloma, which is an incubator for first-generation business owners, just south of DTLA and east of USC. Owner Nesanet and her mother Chef Azla cook up vegan Ethiopian food that's colorful, healthy and filling. They also have an adjacent store, where you can pick up goodies like spices.